Palm Coast’s Africa American Cultural Society will host a political forum at 6 p.m. Feb. 15–Presidents Day–featuring the two respective local leaders of the campaigns for Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
The forum is not intended as a debate but as a chance for voters to hear each campaign’s positions on issues and to encourage voting-age residents either to register to vote or to switch from Independent (or Republican) to Democratic before the Feb. 16 deadline, so they can cast a ballot in the March 15 presidential preference primary. Florida being a closed primary state, only Republicans may vote in the Republican primary and Democrats in the Democratic primary. Independents, who represent almost a third of the electorate in Flagler County, get no vote. (Almost 23,000 of Flagler’s registered voters are independent or registered with a minor party.)
On Feb. 16 at AACS, Sue Hecht will present the Clinton perspective. Anita Moeder will present the Sanders perspective. They will begin with a general presentation of their respective candidates’ platforms, then questions from the audience. They do not expect to battle each other as in a head-to-head debate, even as the two candidates’ campaigns have sharpened their antagonism. Clinton barely won the Iowa caucuses (where Moeder was part of the volunteer effort on behalf of Sanders). Sanders is widely expected to win in new Hampshire. But Clinton is far ahead in all polls in South Carolina, Nevada and Florida, and comfortably ahead in North Carolina and Ohio.
Nevertheless the forum at the African American Cultural Society is an indication of the unexpected intensity of the battle for the Democratic nomination, which mirrors the 2008 contest, when Clinton, who had expected to win that nomination, found herself outflanked by Barack Obama.
Moeder and Hecht stress that Monday’s forum is not sponsored by the two campaigns. Rather, it’s a volunteer-led, Flagler-led effort, as neither campaign has yet opened offices in Flagler yet, though they expect that to happen soon.
“We can’t wait for the campaign to get here, they’re concentrating on other dates in Nevada, South Carolina,” Moeder said. A March 9 debate between Sanders and Clinton in Miami is expected to heighten attention on their races ahead of the Florida primary.
Veteran says
I’ll be sure to miss that one!
Just me says
So when will they have an event to encourage voting-age residents either to register to vote or to switch from Independent (or Demacrat) to Republican before the Feb. 16 ???
Geezer says
Go Bernie!
Wanda Russell says
I plan to vote for Hillary; however, I am always open to hear opposing positions. I even watch the Republican debates. I am so happy I am a democrat!
alp says
@just me: contact the African American Cultural Society and arrange to host your requested event. It does take more effort than pounding out a negative post. So go for it. I’d love to attend a similar event for Republican candidates. I’m just trying to imagine local stand-ins for Trump, Carly, JEB, Ruiz, Marco, Christie, etc. It promises to be a very entertaining evening, especially the Q & A. I’m not sure that anyone would register or change their registration as a result of your endeavor. But your never know until you try.
just me says
@alp it was a question not a request from me to hold a similar event. Why so sensitive of a question nothing in it was negative?
Sheila Skipp Zinkerman says
Studies have shown one of the main reasons folks do not vote is because they lack vital information about, not only the candidate, but also the party they represent. Indeed, you can go on the National Democratic Party’s web site and thumb through their 32 page Platform to become informed. Or! You can attend the Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders informational Forum on Monday 02/15 – 6 PM to hear both candidate’s Core Beliefs and individual Platforms and then ask questions. If you know who you are voting for, come and wear your tee, wave a sign, hand out campaign literature with vigor. And please Democrats, make certain your voice is heard through your vote on March 15th.
Jeanene Farrell says
There will be voter registration available at the event.
alp says
See you at 6PM on Monday evening, February 15 and bring your questions. If you need to register or change your voting address or political affiliation, we will provide the SOE cards. There are other political races and ballot initiatives that may be important to you. in addition to the Presidential primaries and election. Don’t miss out because you failed to register to vote.
@just me
The negativity of your post depends on who you mean “they” is. “They” or anyone else is free to hold a similar educational event.
Devrie says
I wish I had known about this event to share it. I think this idea is brilliant, and I too would love to see more representative citizen debate/campaign sessions. It would be nice even to see all the candidates represented, but I definitely like this type of event to narrow the focus for a specific party.